Dennison City Council Meeting - January 5, 2023

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City of Dennison

Regular Council Meeting

January 5th, 2023

The January Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at 7:04 pm. Present were Councilors Nichole Schloesser, Kaylyn Nygaard, Diane Ruddle, and Clerk Jessica Page. Councilor Heidi Cooke was unable to attend.

Mayor Flaten move to approve the regular meeting minutes for December. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 3:0. Councilor Ruddle move to accept the Public Hearing minutes from December 5th with the name correction completed. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 3:0. Councilor Schloesser move to approve the Treasurer’s report. Mayor Flaten second. Motion passed 3:0.

Building Permits: None

Administrative Issues:

1. Write in votes for council position. Kaylyn Gieger, aka Kaylyn Nygaard, received the most write in votes in the November election. She submitted her letter of resignation as Kaylyn Gieger. Councilor Ruddle move to adopt Resolution 1-2023-02, accepting the resignation for Kaylyn Geiger, and creating a vacant position on the Dennison City Council. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 3:0. Mayor Flaten move to adopt Resolution 1-2023-03 to appoint Kaylyn Nygaard to the vacant position on the Dennison City Council. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 3:0.

Todd Greseth, County commissioner was present to talk with Council. He noted that the County budget was finalized with a 4.69% increase to the levy. They had started with a proposed 7% increase. He noted that a lot of positions remain unfilled in the county work-force, averaging about 20 vacancies. Some ARPA $ left, and they county is looking at Broad-band capability throughout the County. They are already out of salt and sand that was budgeted for the winter. He stated that plows out for 21 days straight, which is a lot. The County ordered a new mobile command vehicle and radios from grant money and ARPS $. Todd is asking to store the vehicle away from the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant instead of in Red Wing, in case of any disaster there, the vehicle would still be usuable.

2. Re-org meeting: (motion to accept all designations, and approve the resolution for the fi-nancial institution, at the end)

Designate a newspaper of general circulation as the official newspaper of the city. Has been the Cannon Falls Beacon.

Posting locations for announcements. Dennison Depot, the public bulletin board, post office is available.

Select an official depository, by resolution, for city funds. Heritage Bank Resolution 1-2023-01

Elect an acting mayor from the councilmembers to perform the mayor’s duties if the mayor unable to fulfill his duties. Heidi Cooke

City Attorney: Burkhardt and Kreisler, LLC

City Clerk/Treasurer: Jessica Page

Hall Custodian: Charles Helcl

Sewer/Water Operator: Nate Sparrow, Travis Reichl Consultant, C License holder for Sewer.

Additional City Employees for water/sewer/general: Dan Storlie

City Engineer: As needed on a project basis. (Not ISG)

Fire Department: Nerstrand

Meeting date/time: First Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm.

Councilor Schloesser move to approve all designations and Resolution 1-2023-01, for the bank and for Heidi Cooke to be acting mayor. Councilor Nygaard second. Motion passed 4:0.

3. Fee Schedule: Update fee schedule. Proposing to increase the base rate for sewer from $15.75 to 17.00. Increase the usage rate from $4.00 to $5.00 per thousand. Justification is the mandate by the MPCA to show how we pay for the operating costs of the new phospho-rus reduction system. Next July, 2023, we have to provide documentation to the PCA proving we have the sufficient funds to operate the system. This would include the chemical, in-creased testing and labor to run the system. Also figuring the increased costs to bring on Travis Reichl, our Class C licensed wastewater operator. Proposing to increase the water us-age rate under 5000 gallons from $1.55 to $2.00 per thousand. Justification is the mainte-nance of our water system. Looking at updating/replacing equipment on the chemical side of the well house, fluoride system. The plan is to inspect/clean the water tower this year. Normally it's done every 5 years, it's been 7 years since the last inspection and cleaning,

Councilor Schloesser move to increase the base rate from $15.75 to $17.00 monthly and the usage rate for sewer costs from $4.00 to $5.00 per thousand gallons, and increase the water from $1.55 to $1.85 for usage of 5000 gallons and under, and $2.00 to $2.25 for over 5000 gallons used. Councilor Nygaard second. Motion passed 4:0.

When it comes to the fee schedule, should there be a fee for new driveway entrances, being that this issue came up last fall? Would need to set a new fee/amount. Discussion was had with the agreement of the need for a driveway ordinance needing to be in place before a fee would be set. Councilor Ruddle will look at neighboring City driveway ordinances for examples.

Under water usage, proposing the City set a standard water fee (tier system) for private businesses or public entities that need water from the City, when it comes to specific situations/projects. Last fall, for example, MetroNet used thousands of gallons of water for their fiber-optic project. Goodhue County was working on a project in the area and required water and asked for our help. Tier proposal, less than 5,000 gallons used, $100.00. Up to 10,000 gallons used, $150.00. Up to 20,000 gallons used, $200.00. Special event usage of water from the city. Non residential use of water? Councilor Ruddle will look at neighboring cities Ordinances to see what they do.

4. Councilor Schloesser move to adopt Resolution 1-2023-04 to allow Bingo at City Hall for Dennison Lions during Flake Out Festival On Feb 4th. Councilor Nygaard second. Motion passed 3:0. Councilor Ruddle abstained from voting as she is part of the Lions Club.

5. What shall the City do about clearing sidewalks. Includes City Hall, as well as empty busi-ness’. Charlie has done snow shoveling in the past for City Hall. Maybe have someone to do this instead of Charlie? Talk to Bill and see how long it would take for him to clear off the sidewalk. Currently two business’ are not keeping their sidewalks clear, the Pink Posh build-ing, and Marlea’s

6. Mr. Bolstrom letter. He never picked up his letter at the post office. Goodhue County served papers to him on December 30th. Has he contacted the City? The weather has turned cold and snow on the ground, and do we wait to clean up the property in the spring? Does the City give Mr. Bolstrom a hard date to comply otherwise we will hire someone to do the work to clean up the property? Bolstrom vehicles have been moved to Mark Weatherfords property. There was concern about hazardous waste in barrels on the property, ie. what is stored, what is the Cities liability? Council members would like to talk with the city attorney about what the next step would be? Need confirmation that the property sold? Do we have to start over with new owner In regards to the letter informing him to clean it up. Ask the League of MN Cities also on process.

7. The Nerstrand Fire Department/City Shop. The fire truck was moved into the shop on De-cember 7th. Signage has been installed on the building. New garage door opener installed. The Fire Chief is requesting that the City pay for half of the cost, around $850.00. Fire De-partment informed me that the roof vent/chimney was plugged with soot. It could've start-ed a fire without being removed. Brian's Heating and Mechanical was used to change the piping/clean everything out. The south heater is working fine now. Old toilet removed and thrown away. New toilet installed by Nate. Outside light for sign will be fixed by the Ner-strand Fire Department. Right now, a light switch inside the city shop/fire station controls the light above the sign. The plan is to have a photo electric sensor installed to illuminate the sign and flag pole. The fire department said they are willing to pay for that improve-ment. Nerstrand installed keyless touch pads for the side door and garage door. The Fire Chief asked if the Sheriff's Department can have access to our building for breaks/the bath-room. Is that O.K? Medical cabinet moved from City Hall to the new fire station. AED and medical bag is the cabinet. Chief Johnson asked if the city council would want an AED in the council chamber? Amount to bill Nerstrand monthly for maintenance shed? Set fee of $50? Or figure out half of costs each month? Dumpster gone on Dec 27th.

Council would like to know if we can piggyback with them for the light outside the City Hall to get it fixed, as long as an electrician is coming to town.

Councilor Nygaard move to approve the $885 for half of the cost of the garage door. Coun-cilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 4:0. Council instructed clerk to send Nerstrand a bill for one half of the cost of LP and one half of the electrical cost for the building.

8. Replace fire extinguishers. Fire Chief said existing extinguishers haven't been serviced since 1997. Requesting that we purchase 5 new fire extinguishers for $400.00. One would be placed in the front entrance of City Hall, one in the city chamber, one in the well house (electrical panel) side, one in the city shop/fire station and one in the phosphorus building. Councilor Schloesser move to approve the purchase of 5 fire extinguishers for $400. Coun-cilor Nygaard second. Motion passed 4:0.

9. Jared Petersen from OurTech CO-OP is putting together the final numbers to submit for state broadband dollars. No financial commitment from the City at this time. Jared is going to send out an email for the council to read about the proposal. Diane wants to read what they are going to submit. Concern is that they are saying the City will pay for 25% of the funding, we want to make sure that the City is not being on the hook for providing part of this funding in the proposals that they are submitting. Ask for what is being sent out on Monday.

10. New phone service with LTD broadband is up and running. MetroNet service has been cancelled and our account closed.

11. Based on the last meeting, does the council want to install a key storage lock box? Can get one for $29.99. Where to put? Who has access? Need a master set in case someone is gone. Keep in the entryway at City Hall. Councilor Schloesser move to get a lock box for the entry way around $30. Councilor Nygaard second. Motion passed 4:0. Nate will put up.

12. Approve a pay raise for Clerk? One was figured in to the budget for 2023. Currently $1630.00 gross monthly/$19,566.00 annually. No benefits except PERA. Budgeted amount for 2023 was $23,900.00 annually, or $1,991.66 monthly. Councilor Ruddle move to approve pay raise for clerk. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 4:0.

Citizens Issues:

Mayors Issues:

Jeff had a conversation with the chair of the Northfield Township regarding state Highway 246. There have been discussions at Rice County about the state giving 246 back to the county. Northfield Township has already discussed the topic and they are opposed to the idea. They plan on putting together a letter. What does the city council want to do? The City could put together a letter with concerns about the timeliness of Rice County plowing. Emergency personal being able to get to people in a timely manner. Mayor Flaten will look at doing one.

Utilities:

1. Update from Nate.

2. New water meter delivered to the Voight home. Water not turned on yet.

3. Conduit pipe at the lift station was fixed on December 14th. Looks sturdier than what was previously installed. Put a post in in the spring.

4. Nate installed a new battery for the generator at the lift station. Have someone service it? Travis is going to send someone who tests those. Will start and then shut off after 5 minutes. Want to know for sure if it will do what it needs to do. Nate will get info for next Feb meeting.

Travis is recommending that all of it (pump house) needs to be replaced as the equipment isn’t working right, can’t see gauges, dials, etc. If changing any of the systems, it needs to be approved by the Dept of Health.

5. Grant from the Minnesota Department of Health to replace the door on the chemical side of the well house has been fully funded now. Will let Northfield Construction know they can proceed with ordering the door and installing.

6. All tin has been removed inside and outside for phosphorus shed.

Mayor Flaten move to pay the bills. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 4:0.

Mayor Flaten move to adjourn. Councilor Ruddle second. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Next regular meeting is Thursday February 2nd, 2023 at 7:00.